LAUSR

Abstract Limited comprehensive information is available on the source-specific health risks for heavy metals (HMs) in tea plantation soils. In this study, the concentrations of HMs in tea leaves and their corresponding topsoils (0–20 cm) collected from South Fujian (including the three regions of Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Quanzhou) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Factor analysis and absolute principal component score/multiple linear regression (APCS/MLR) were used to quantify the pollution sources of HMs in tea garden soils. The human health risks of the HMs from different specific sources were further quantified by the health risk assessment model. Agricultural activities and natural sources were the largest contributors to the non-carcinogenic risk of HMs in soils for adults. Natural sources accounted for 80.29% and 80.31% of the carcinogenic risk to adults and children, respectively. Furthermore, the relative contributions of different sources to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were similar for adults and children. Co and Cr were the major contributors to the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of HMs in tea leaves by soaking, respectively. Generally, this study highlights the need to control and manage agricultural activities in tea plantation bases to mitigate health risks.